andyc35i

How awful is our midfield looking now…

I really wish we had Raphinha playing for us

What I would give for two wins in a row like this

I’d drop Shelvey for Willock for this very reason. We need someone that can chase the knock downs and still get back into shape when we lose the ball

I still think his general energy in and around the box would drastically change our goal threat and even if doesn’t get anywhere near the goal return as last season, it would give us another dimension in attack

Regardless of the fixtures so far and who was managing the team, I think we should have at least 8 more points than we currently have. I mean some games really stick out to me where we should have taken three points. That stoppage time goal against Southampton (I know they were far better than us), all the easy chances we missed at Watford and the 88th minute equaliser against them at home, and the ASM open goal chance against Man Utd - I just don’t think we have had any real rub of the green this year. I guess we wasted it all last season

I think we win this one. Well I said that for both Manchester United and Watford so clearly I’m wrong…

Lingard would obviously become our best midfield player and walk straight into the midfield three, but he would need to be complemented by a defensive two with him similar to West Ham with Rice and Souchek. I think we already have a Souchek type player in Joelinton, but are missing that Rice style of player

@Trensa Who you thinking gets the better deal - NUFC for Carlos or Sevilla with Botman?

I was against having Van de Beek coming in because doesn’t look like he has adjusted to the league, but we are crying out for someone that is comfortable in possession that can advance the ball. We get him on loan with a defensive destroyer then a midfield three with Joelinton doesn’t look so bad on paper

It’s so disappointing that we couldn’t hold yesterday. We could have had a week out of the bottom three to maybe convince some of these players that we weren’t going down

We also need a player that can create. I wish we weren’t so deep in the shit that Coutinho would have considered coming to us. If Villa get him fit, he will get a lot of goals and assists between now and May.

My main gripe with Howe is that he continues to have in Shelvey as the first name on the team sheet. I get that it was required for his first two months here when his hands were tied without a transfer window to call on, but he should be demanding better players in this key area of the pitch. I will judge him when the window closes to see if we have the ‘balance’ he keeps talking about, but to say I’m concerned is an understatement

I’m very concerned how anybody can watch us today (and all the other times) and not see how weak we are in midfield. We have nobody to cover any ground defensively, let alone create anything and our best midfielder is now Joelinton - this is just insane

Rafa always causes problems wherever he goes, he likes to get the fans to turn against the board, he always has an agenda, loves the drama and never thinks he’s in the wrong. Granted it was never a good fit at Everton, but what an ass

Yeah Jamie Redknapp is laying in to Rafa big time - what a wanker

From the limited games I have seen of him, he seems like a good player and someone that we need

I find it strange how the powers that be can’t see this

We won’t be signing the guy if he’s injured, it just wouldn’t happen with games running out

Fair enough - but if we give them enough money I’m sure they will be happy playing Jota and Firminho up front until February

Why are we not just singing Origi from Liverpool. It’s such an easy transfer because he wants to stay one England, his contract runs out, he wants game time and we are not rivalling Liverpool in the league. The guy is actually quite a good player and always does well in the few chances he gets for Liverpool

I agree, his record of wins since coming in hasn’t been great especially as we have had some very winnable home games in the run so far. I just don’t see him being sacked no matter which division we end up in next year

I still think there’s some talent with the lad and we just need to find how what issues he has at the moment. I didn’t watch yesterday’s game, but have seen every game he has played since arriving here and he hasn’t been as bad as some make out this year. We just haven’t worked out how to get the best out of him or his position under the new manager. Eddie needs to have a long hard think about where and how he wants the guy to play and then take it from there

Don’t you just love feeling this excited about our team again!

Players that speak with this calmness and assurance (just like our manager) has me really starting to believe that we can turn this around and survive